Yemen: Diphtheria vaccination campaign ends /update 4

Event

The World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and Yemeni health authorities have concluded their diphtheria vaccination campaign in Yemen. According to a WHO statement issued Friday, March 16, the vaccination campaign targeted some 2.7 million children in 11 provinces. Since October 2017, diphtheria has infected over 1300 people in the country, accounting for 70 associated deaths; nearly 80 percent of those infected have been children. Further suspected cases of diphtheria are expected to be reported in Yemen in the coming weeks.

Context

The collapse of Yemen's infrastructure amid the ongoing war between the Saudi-backed government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi rebels has created what the WHO has called a "perfect storm" for diseases. Several UN agencies have declared the ongoing crisis in Yemen to be the "worst humanitarian crisis in the world."

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria, which primarily infects the throat and upper airways and produces a toxin affecting other organs. The illness has an acute onset, with its the main characteristics are sore throat, low-grade fever, and swollen glands in the neck; the toxin may, in severe cases, cause myocarditis or peripheral neuropathy. The disease is spread through direct physical human contact or from breathing in the aerosolized secretions from coughs or sneezes of infected individuals. A vaccine is available for this potentially fatal disease.

Advice

Individuals in or planning travel to Yemen are strongly advised to receive diphtheria vaccinations. It is also advised to stock up on food and bottled water, and conserve water as much as possible.

The security environment throughout the country remains complex, and due to poor security conditions, most Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place, and professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.